Liberman: Arab Spring proves Israel isn’t to blame
At World Jewish Congress dinner in Jerusalem, former FM says conflicts in Syria, Egypt are ‘internal and domestic’
“For years we have dealt with misrepresentation of the conflict. Today, it is clear by what is happening in Syria and Egypt, that the problem is primarily internal and domestic. It is not the conflict, or the Jews — it is the radical Islamic wing in Arab society,” Liberman said.
He added that, in his view, the biggest stumbling block to resolving the Palestinian issue was not political, but financial, having little to do with the settlements or refugees. Therefore, Liberman reasoned, the solution to the conflict cannot be political, as “it is impossible to impose peace.”
In his concluding remarks, Liberman thanked the WJC warmly for its support of Israel.
“You are our second Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Thanks for your support and friendship,” he said.
Finance Minister Yair Lapid was also in attendance and shared the story of his father’s survival in Nazi-occupied Hungary. He said Jewish history was a “birthright” common to all Jews, as was the imperative to struggle against persecution.
“We will miss the whole idea of the genocide that happened, if we do not realize that it would not have happened without the silence of thousands of Hungarians. And anti-Semitism has raised its ugly head again. We can’t overlook racism. Hate does not disappear. It is a horrible fact of life we should fight every day,” said Lapid.
Also invited to speak at the WJC’s Executive Committee meeting was visiting Texas Governor Rick Perry, who called Israel “a bright and shining star” in the Middle East.
“I am proud to be a partner to a state that has the economic and educational opportunities to bring peace to this region – and to the world,” he said.
